How to Become a Teacher in Alaska

Alaska’s largest school district enrolls more than 49,000 students, while its smallest has just 23 students. The state’s 10,000 educators instruct young learners and college-bound seniors. Alaska requires a teaching certification to work in the state’s public schools.

Prospective educators can follow many paths to become a teacher in Alaska. Many enroll in a bachelor’s in education program, which includes teacher preparation components. Alaska’s online colleges also train teachers. Educators in other states can relocate to Alaska. And professionals considering a career change into teaching can return to college for a teaching degree.

Alaska offers certification options for each of these pathways. Our guide offers a step-by-step view of how to become a teacher in Alaska, including the career outlook and in-demand endorsements.

Teachers at Alaska’s public schools must hold a teaching certification. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development issues credentials to teachers that meet the state’s requirements. In Alaska, licensed teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree and meet educator preparation requirements.

Alaska issues multiple forms of certifications. The state issues initial teacher certificates, initial/program enrollment certificates, and initial out-of-state certificates for educators. Licensed teachers also qualify for higher-level teaching certification in Alaska. The next sections walk through how to become a teacher in Alaska.

Alaska teachers must hold at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify for certification. The state accepts bachelor’s degrees in any major from an accredited institution. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, teachers must complete an approved educator preparation program. Candidates also complete mandatory training programs offered through the state.

The minimum education requirements for teaching in Alaska include:

Educators with a bachelor’s degree can also qualify for an initial/program enrollment teacher certificate. This certificate, designed for people currently enrolled in a teacher preparation program, allows educators to teach at Alaska public schools while meeting the educational requirements.

Alaska also requires college-level coursework in Alaska studies and multicultural education. Teachers can complete these requirements after receiving their initial certification.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Most states require student teaching experience to apply for a teaching license. Alaska also requires student teaching experience. However, the state does not set a minimum number of hours of supervised experience. Instead, candidates complete an educator preparation program that includes student teaching. Approved teacher training programs in Alaska meet this licensure requirement.

In addition to student teaching experience, candidates must complete mandatory training. The state requirement includes training on sexual abuse awareness and prevention and alcohol and drug-related disabilities. Other trainings include dating violence awareness and prevention and suicide awareness and prevention.

In Alaska, educators must pass a basic competency exam and a content area exam. Alaska accepts many tests for the competency requirement, as long as they include reading, writing, and mathematics. The accepted exams include the ACT or SAT, the GRE, and several state teacher competency tests.

Alaska’s certification exams include:

Candidates for teaching certification in Alaska must also pass content area exams. Alaska accepts Praxis II tests. The approved exams include elementary, middle school, and secondary exams. Applicants can add endorsements by taking additional exams.

Alaska grants different certifications depending on the teacher’s circumstances. For example, after completing certification exams and an educator preparation program, new teachers apply for an initial teacher certificate.

The state also issues initial out-of-state teacher certificates to educators licensed in other states. Educators complete Alaska state requirements, including coursework in Alaska studies.

Educators with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution qualify for an initial/program enrollment teacher certificate. This certificate allows educators to work at Alaska public schools while completing a teacher preparation program. The Department of Education and Early Development typically reviews applications within 2-6 weeks.

Alaska uses a system of certificate levels for teachers. Educators new to the state or the profession apply for an initial teacher certificate. The certificate remains valid for 1-2 years, depending on the educator’s qualifications. The state issues one-year renewals for educators completing additional licensure requirements. In some cases, candidates must complete Alaska studies and multicultural coursework to qualify for renewal.

At the end of the initial certificate period, teachers apply for a professional teacher certificate. The certificate requires two years of teaching experience. The certificate remains valid for five years. Board-certified teachers also qualify for a master teacher certificate, which remains valid for ten years. Educators must complete six credits of coursework to renew their certificate.

Alaska teachers benefit from a strong career outlook. The state’s teacher salaries sit above the national average. For example, high school teachers earned a median salary of $62,870 nationwide in May 2020. Alaska reported an average high school teacher salary of $75,790.

The job outlook varies by location. The University of Alaska Fairbanks reports that larger cities and more accessible locations tend to experience less turnover than more remote areas. Teachers who complete their training in Alaska are most likely to work in major cities like Fairbanks and Anchorage. Rural and remote districts may offer more open positions. Teachers who return to grad school to complete a master’s degree often benefit from a higher earning potential.

More positions are in demand in Alaska compared with education careers in other states. For example, the state has included social studies and English/language arts teachers on its list of high-demand positions in recent years.

Social Studies Teacher

Social studies teachers cover subjects like history, geography, civics, and economics. They encourage critical thinking and communication skills through document analyses and research papers. While most states do not list social studies as a shortage area, Alaska recently reported a shortage in the field.

Average Annual Salary: $49,500

English/Language Arts Teacher

English/language arts teachers educate young learners in reading comprehension and literacy skills. At the secondary level, they build close reading and analysis skills. English/language arts teachers encourage critical thinking and creativity. Compared with other states, Alaska has a greater need for English/language arts teachers.

Average Annual Salary: $50,900

Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers teach children with disabilities. They modify lesson plans based on each student’s abilities and needs. Special education teachers may specialize in autism spectrum disorders or gifted education. Alaska offers special education endorsements for communication disorders, cognitive impairments, hearing impairments, and early childhood special education.

Median Annual Salary: $61,500

Mathematics Teacher

Math teachers educate students in algebra, geometry, statistics, and calculus. Most math teachers work at the secondary level, where they may teach many subjects and grades. Some math teachers may work at the elementary level. In Alaska, math teachers apply for a mathematics endorsement on their teaching licenses.

Average Annual Salary: $51,400

Science Teacher

Science teachers instruct learners in earth sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics. They typically teach at the middle school or high school level. Science teachers might cover multiple classes at different grade levels depending on the school. Alaska offers endorsements in several science fields, including general science, geology, life science, zoology, and environmental science.

Average Annual Salary: $48,760

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